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| Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu speaks with Aung Saan Suu Kyi in Bankok on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of Minister's Office) |
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As heads of
governments, business leaders and industry champions gather in Bangkok for the
World Economic Forum’s East Asia summit, there is no denying who the star of
the show is.
Aung Saan
Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader from Burma, is the leading light of the
forum. Wherever she has gone, she has attracted crowds and there is an instant
buzz when she enters a room.
Her
presence at the WEF in Bangkok, her first trip outside her homeland in 25
years, is a testament to the region’s growing clout on the world stage and is a
demonstration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (Asean) ability to
forge a common consensus.
“Aung Saan
Suu Kyi’s presence in Bangkok is proof of the ongoing democratization process
in Asean,” said Mari Elka Pangestu, Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy
Minister. “She knows what she wants for her country and she is reaching out to
the world.”
The theme
for this year’s WEF on East Asia, “Shaping the Region’s Future Through
Connectivity,” is timely as the 10-member grouping of Southeast Asian nations
gears up for the next stage of growth.
“This
region is witnessing a great transformation and is at a crucial point in
realizing its huge potential,” said Pascal Lamy, director general of the World
Trade Organization. “If Asean were one nation, it would be the 9th largest
economy in the world today. The region has changed beyond recognition.”
The
challenge for the grouping is to better integrate its economies especially with
the 2015 Asean Economic Community now looming large. The region will have to
boost greater air and sea connections as well as harmonize its tariff regimes
if it is to boost greater intra-regional trade, tourism and capital flows.
Asean has a
combined population of 600 million people, a nominal GDP of $1.8 trillion and a
growth rate that is expected to exceed 5 percent on average for 2012.
President
Susilo Bambang Yudhyono is leading a sizeable Indonesian delegation which
includes Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, Mari Pangestu and a number of top
corporate leaders.
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